THERE is something about the SCG that brings out the best in Hawthorn.
It is quite remarkable.
Down by 25 points to Sydney in the second term and playing horribly? No problem.
That was the scenario facing the Hawks on Saturday night with the double chance in the finals riding on the result. For the first 20 minutes of that quarter it was as poorly as they have played all season.
And this was with Sydney stars Lance Franklin and Luke Parker watching on from the stands after being late withdrawals.
But they chipped away later in the term and stemmed the tide. They won the third term by four goals to two, the last term by five goals to two to win by nine points to book a top-four spot.
It was their sixth-straight win to close out the season and their fifth-straight win at the SCG. The last four of those have been by two goals or less. So they not only know how to win at the SCG, but to keep their supporters on the edge of their seat.
As bad as their first half was, their second half was sublime. All their key players lifted – Tom Mitchell after being well held, Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels, Ben Stratton and Blake Hardwick.
Shiels put the clamps on Josh Kennedy, who was threatening to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Ben McEvoy and Jarman Impey were excused from that. They were outstanding all night. Youngsters Harry Morrison and James Worpel as well.
After being thrashed around contested ball, they turned the tables towards the end. Sydney kicked well early and missed a couple late.
The Swans were honest all night and at times brilliant. Isaac Heeney is born for big games and showed it. George Hewett took Mitchell to the cleaners early. Heath Grundy was a welcome return to the Sydney backline and Jake Lloyd gave the Sydney beancounters food for thought. He's out of contract come the end of the season, but he really shouldn't be.
But they couldn't take further advantage in the second term when they had their feet on Hawthorn's neck and left the door slightly ajar. And that's all the Hawks needed.
You would think both teams will need the extra week to recover before the finals. With Parker and Franklin likely to be back, the Swans will still be formidable in a home elimination final.
The Hawks with James Sicily, James Frawley and who knows, perhaps even Grant Birchall back will be a force next month because they can never be counted out.
If it's Richmond at the MCG, then it will a blockbuster finals opening final. They've never met in September. The same with Collingwood, who they've beaten every match bar one since 2012.
But if the AFL scheduled it at the SCG, the Hawks wouldn't complain. They like to refer to Launceston as their home away from home, but it might just be the SCG. They love playing there.
